Little Orchard Way: Legacy Land on Maxwell Bay

Little Orchard Way curves through a tucked-away peninsula on the north side of Maxwell Bay, where Lake Minnetonka folds into itself just west of Wayzata. This short cul-de-sac off Old Crystal Bay Road is more than just a discreet enclave—it’s a continuation of something older.

Before limestone boathouses and modern estates reshaped the shoreline, this stretch of Maxwell Bay was home to Little Orchard Farm, a seasonal dairy operation run by Mrs. Mabel Tuttle between 1923 and 1936. Like many Orono landowners of her era, Mrs. Tuttle wasn’t managing a commercial enterprise—she was cultivating a rural ideal. Her farm was part of a broader tradition of “model dairy farms” established by affluent families who paired land stewardship with leisure, helping define the agricultural elegance of Lake Minnetonka’s north shore.

Today, the farm is gone. But the name remains.

Location and surroundings

Little Orchard Way sits between the wooded elegance of Noerenberg Memorial Gardens and the glassy calm of Maxwell Bay. The 70-acre nature preserve to the south, once part of the Grain Belt Brewing family’s estate named Willkommen, ensures views that will never be interrupted. This is one of the few places on Lake Minnetonka where every window still opens onto nature.

Residents are just minutes from downtown Wayzata, yet protected from the buzz of the lake’s busier corridors. It’s an uncommon blend of proximity and peace.

Architecture and estates

The homes along Little Orchard Way are among the most architecturally significant private residences on Lake Minnetonka. Most were built in the late 1990s and early 2000s with a reverence for custom craftsmanship. Think brick and stone facades, wood shake roofs, and interiors finished with artisan details like Jean Pierre Jacquet limestone fireplaces, Thomas Schwaiger ironwork, and Birger Juell hardwoods.

The crown jewel is the estate at 2825 Little Orchard Way: over 16,000 square feet on 5.33 acres with 360 feet of shoreline. Originally constructed by Jyland Homes and reimagined by John Kraemer & Sons, the home includes a boathouse, carriage house, wine cave, cigar lounge, guest apartment, infinity pool, and a three-hole golf course. It has been quietly listed multiple times, originally at $19.5 million, and most recently sold for $7.925 million in December 2022.

Amenities and natural features

Each estate on Little Orchard Way is a study in lakeside privacy. Protected on one side by the gardens and on the other by water, properties here average two to five acres and often include:

• Shorelines up to 360 feet with long west-facing views
• Private docks, infinity pools, indoor gyms, and curated landscaping
• Gated driveways and wooded buffers that ensure true seclusion
• French-inspired media rooms and recreational spaces noted in past listings

Zoning and utilities

The neighborhood is zoned for single-family residential use with no association dues. Properties are serviced by private wells and septic systems, with natural gas and central air.

Education: Orono Schools

Residents of Little Orchard Way are served by Orono Schools (ISD 278), one of Minnesota’s most respected public districts. From early childhood through high school, students benefit from a connected campus in nearby Maple Plain and a curriculum known for academic excellence, leadership development, and championship-level extracurriculars.

Orono High School consistently ranks among the state’s best, with high ACT scores, Advanced Placement success, and a track record of admissions to top universities. The district places a strong emphasis on STEM, fine arts, and athletics—offering both rigor and continuity in a close-knit community environment.

For families on Little Orchard Way, the school district is one more reason the lifestyle here feels complete.

Lake access, via trusted relationships

Little Orchard Way isn’t just an address—it’s a narrative. It’s heirloom land, cultivated first by Mrs. Tuttle, and later by some of the region’s most discerning homeowners. If you’re seeking lake access with privacy, craftsmanship, and legacy, this peninsula belongs in your conversation.

Want more information on Little Orchard Way?

If you're considering buying on Little Orchard Way, opportunities are rare and often private—let’s talk before the next listing goes public. If you're thinking of selling, the right buyer may already be in our network. Discretion. Timing. Relationship. Call today to find out more.